Crashed Mi-8 helicopter and four survivors found in Yakutia

Freeze-frame Russia 24

MOSCOW, July 3 (Itar-Tass) - A Mi-8 helicopter that crash landed in Yakutia on Tuesday has been found. Three crewmen and one passenger are alive, a source at the Russian Emergencies Ministry information department told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.

"Rescuers had searched for the missing Mi-8 helicopter since July 2. According to preliminary reports, four people, including three crewmen and a passenger, have been found alive. An Emergencies Ministry helicopter has evacuated the crew members. The surviving passenger is receiving. Another helicopter is expected to pick up the surviving passenger. A search for the other passengers whose fate is unknown is under way,” the Russian Emergencies Ministry reports.

The press service of the Far Eastern regional center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry told Itar-Tass that the fourth victim is receiving first aid on the spot. According to preliminary information his spine is broken,” the source went on to say.

The three crewmen have been delivered to Ust-Kut.

The Mi-8 helicopter flew from the Deputatskiy settlement to the Kazachye village. There were three crewmen and 25 passengers onboard, including 11 children. According to preliminary information, provided by Anatoly Skrybykin, the vice-chairman of the Yakutian government, on Wednesday, the helicopter collided with a strong air flow as it had crossed a mountain pass. However, a law enforcement source said that the pilot could have lost control of the helicopter because of descending air flows.